A new global study has projected that over 15 million individuals born between 2008 and 2017 could develop gastric cancer during their lifetime if current trends continue. The researchers attributed this alarming figure largely to untreated Helicobacter pylori infections, a major cause of gastric cancer that is both common and preventable.

The study’s authors emphasized that gastric cancer, often diagnosed at later stages, remains one of the most lethal forms of cancer globally. However, early detection and treatment - especially targeting H. pylori, a bacterium infecting the stomach lining - can significantly reduce risk.

They have urged governments and health organizations to invest in population-level screening programs, particularly in high-risk countries. Effective antibiotics and eradication therapies are already available, but awareness, early testing, and accessibility remain critical gaps.

With the right interventions, the researchers argue, millions of future cancer cases could be prevented - saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare burdens.